PAOK vs Brann Prediction 28 November 2025

🔊 How will the clash between two Europa League table neighbors, PAOK and Brann, unfold? These future opponents are perched just outside the top ten, trailing eighth place by a single point, which grants a spot in the Round of 16. Not only do they share the same points tally, but they also have identical goal differences. The Greeks sit higher only due to their superior goals scored. The upcoming match in Thessaloniki at the "Toumba" Stadium presents a golden opportunity to gain an edge in their head-to-head record. On home turf, the "black and whites" have remained unbeaten since February 2025. Will their impressive streak continue? Our editorial team offers an insightful prediction.

Head-to-Head

📊 The teams have not faced each other before.

PAOK Thessaloniki Team Overview

The "Double-headed Eagles of the North" are in sensational form. Following their victory over Young Boys in the fourth round of the Europa League, their flawless streak has reached seven matches. However, the "black and whites" couldn't remain unbeaten as they headed into the international break, falling to Panathinaikos in the 10th round of the Greek Super League. Yet, after the club season resumed, Razvan Lucescu's squad managed to bounce back, defeating Kifisia in the league (3-0), maintaining their second place with a two-point gap behind leaders Olympiacos. In Europe's second-tier competition, PAOK sit in 10th position but boast the best goal difference among the six teams with seven points.

Playmaker Taison and defensive midfielder Magomed Ozdoev have recently found excellent form. The Russian has contributed to five goals (4 goals, 1 assist) over five matches, while the Brazilian has tallied four (2 goals, 2 assists). Ozdoev is in his third year with the Greek club and is currently performing at his best pace since arriving in Thessaloniki. He has already matched his debut season stats for PAOK in the league (6 goals, 1 assist). So far, the midfielder has scored five times and provided two assists.

Brann Team Overview

Freyr Alexandersson's team continues to face turbulent times. Brann have gone five matches without a victory. Any hopes of contending for a Champions League spot in the Norwegian league are now out of reach. With just two rounds left in the Eliteserien, they trail the second place by 14 points. However, there is still a chance to fight for third place, which offers a ticket to the Europa League qualifiers. They are just one point away from that position, although based on recent performances, achieving this will be incredibly challenging.

Brann have managed to secure just one point over their last four Eliteserien fixtures. And these opponents weren't exactly top-tier, ranked eighth or lower. The only positive outcome amidst these setbacks was a draw against Bologna away in the Europa League (0-0). Yes, the hosts made things difficult for themselves by receiving a red card in the 23rd minute. Yet even with a man down, they appeared more dominant, holding 54% possession compared to Brann's 46%, and launching more frequent and dangerous attacks (16 shots with a total xG value of 1.13 versus 9 shots with an xG of 0.42).

Latest news

PAOK Thessaloniki

🎙 PAOK's management has issued a statement regarding the future of forward Fyodor Chalov. The Russian striker has drawn interest from his former club, CSKA Moscow. Earlier reports suggested that the "Army Men" were considering bringing the forward back on loan this winter. It was also claimed that PAOK's head coach, Razvan Lucescu, had requested the club to sign a more explosive striker. However, the Greek club's press office has refuted these claims: "The information that the club or coaching staff wants to part ways with Fyodor Chalov is not accurate. PAOK has not received any offers and is unaware of any interest from CSKA. Fyodor is an integral part of our team."

❌ Since late October, Mady Camara has been sidelined due to an ankle injury. However, the main setback for PAOK has been the loss of midfielder Giannis Konstantelias. The Greek midfielder was ruled out just before the international break, having scored five goals in seven matches for the club prior to his injury.

Brann

❌ Brann's results have been significantly affected by numerous injuries to some key players. Among the most notable absences are top scorer Sivar Magnusson (10 goals) and leading playmaker Joachim Soltvedt (11 assists).

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

The main referee for the match is Sascha Stegemann from Germany. Over his last 20 Bundesliga matches, he averages 3.2 yellow cards per game. This choice of referee is no coincidence. Greek teams are known for their fiery temperament. In PAOK's last five matches, there have been an average of 4.4 cautions. Brann's matches aren't far behind, with an average of 3.8 over the same period. Considering the teams' proximity in the league standings and their ambitions for a top-8 finish in the Europa League, the intensity is expected to be sky-high. Our prediction: total yellow cards over 3.5.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Brann's attacking play has been lacking recently, with the "Reds" netting only three times in their last five matches. Their positive goal difference in the Europa League has largely been due to solid defense. The standout result was a 3-0 thrashing of a struggling Rangers side undergoing a managerial change. In other matches, the Norwegians haven't scored more than once. PAOK's organized defense, especially at home, is also noteworthy. In 6 out of 7 games at "Toumba," the Greeks have kept clean sheets. Given these factors, there's a strong likelihood that a bet on both teams to score (no) will pay off.

🚩 Corner Kicks Prediction

Freyr Alexandersson's preferred formation is 4-3-3, which shifts to 4-2-3-1 against tougher opponents, as seen against Bologna, where Brann relied heavily on counterattacks. In both setups, quick wing play is emphasized. This strategy allows the "Reds" to be active along the touchline, including exerting pressure through set pieces. For instance, in 8 of their last 9 away matches, the Norwegians have won at least four corners. We expect that in Thessaloniki, Brann's total corners will exceed 3.5.

The upcoming rivals enter their head-to-head clash in starkly different forms, and this is reflected in the odds. The betting lines for PAOK are almost 3.5 times higher than those for Brann, and it's not just about recent performances. The "Double-Headed Eagles of the North" have remained unbeaten at home since February 2025, while the Norwegians have managed just one away win in seven matches. Additionally, their roster has taken a significant hit, and without their top scorer and playmaker, mounting a serious challenge in Thessaloniki seems incredibly difficult. We lean towards a PAOK victory in the upcoming game, predicting a final scoreline of 3-0 in favor of the Greeks.